A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a colonoscopy. The client asks the nurse if there will be a lot of pain during the procedure. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Choice A: Upper left quadrant. This is not the location where the nurse should expect the client to report abdominal pain who has diverticular disease. The upper left quadrant of the abdomen contains organs such as the stomach, spleen, pancreas, and part of the colon. Abdominal pain in this area can indicate conditions such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, splenomegaly, or colon cancer.

Choice B: Lower left quadrant. This is the location where the nurse should expect the client to report abdominal pain who has diverticular disease, which is a condition that involves the formation of pouches or sacs in the wall of the colon. These pouches or sacs are called diverticula, and they can become inflamed or infected, causing diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can cause abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and changes in bowel habits. The most common site of diverticula formation and diverticulitis is the sigmoid colon, which is located in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen.

Choice C: Upper right quadrant. This is not the location where the nurse should expect the client to report abdominal pain who has diverticular disease. The upper right quadrant of the abdomen contains organs such as the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, and part of the colon. Abdominal pain in this area can indicate conditions such as hepatitis, cholecystitis, duodenal ulcer, or colon cancer.

Choice D: Lower right quadrant. This is not the location where the nurse should expect the client to report abdominal pain who has diverticular disease. The lower right quadrant of the abdomen contains organs such as the appendix, cecum, and part of the colon. Abdominal pain in this area can indicate conditions such as appendicitis, Crohn’s disease, or colon cancer.

Choice A: “You shouldn’t feel any pain since the local area is anaesthetized.” This is not a response that the nurse should make to the client who is scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse should not tell the client that they will not feel any pain, as this may create unrealistic expectations and increase anxiety if they do experience discomfort. The nurse should also not tell the client that the local area is anaesthetized, as this is not true. The client does not receive local anesthesia for a colonoscopy, but rather sedation and pain medication.

Choice B: “Don’t worry, you won’t remember anything about the procedure due to the effects of the medication.” This is not a response that the nurse should make to the client who is scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse should not tell the client not to worry, as this may sound dismissive and insensitive to their concerns. The nurse should also not tell the client that they will not remember anything about the procedure, as this is not true. The client may receive conscious sedation for a colonoscopy, which means that they are awake but drowsy and relaxed. They may have some memory loss of the procedure, but they are not completely unconscious.

Choice C: “Most clients report more discomfort from the preparation than from the procedure itself.” This is not a response that the nurse should make to the client who is scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse should not compare the client’s experience to other clients, as this may minimize their feelings and individual differences. The nurse should also not focus on the preparation, which involves drinking a large amount of liquid laxative to empty the colon, as this may increase anxiety and dread for the client. The nurse should instead focus on providing information and support for both the preparation and the procedure.

Choice D: “You may feel some cramping during the procedure.” This is a response that the nurse should make to the client who is scheduled for a colonoscopy, which is a diagnostic test that uses a flexible tube with a camera to examine the colon and rectum. The nurse should inform the client that they may feel some cramping during the procedure as the tube is inserted and moved through the colon. The nurse should also reassure the client that they will receive sedation and pain medication to make them comfortable and relaxed.